Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[billy_mac]

Top rational post.

I've seen enough to know he's a decent addition. Maybe not great but decent so far with the hope of improvements.

Bellamy is an impact sub for me. Downing to start against the scum.

Very impressive in his first few games which proved me wrong. However he's been terribly average for the last couple but it doesn't help when he's stuck on the right hand side - he should be on the left and left only.

I know he hasn't got any goals or assists yet, but he's come mighty close a few times (Sunderland where he hit the bar and another game too - Bolton?). Fine lines and had he scored those two then his stats wouldn't look too shabby. Not sure that he's any better than Riera though and I find it harsh how Maxi has lost his place to him.

Willing to give him the season before I make any real judgement.

[saj]

He won player of the year playing on the right wing for Villa last year. I'd dump him out and bring in Bellamy on the left.

[ronanm]

it's just 'me' 'me' 'me' isnt it? There's no 'I' in team Arn. You're starting to sound like Bodgson

No 'I' but there is an 'm' and 'e' in team of course

[Shanks]

The point is.
How much more can Downing improve because he must improve.

I don't think he needs to improve, as in improve his overall level. Just he and the team need to bed into a way of playing.

[BringbackBiscan]

I don' think he's been anywhere near as bad as people are making out. He's had a few anonymous games & that's it. Bellamy's knee will restrict him to an impact sub role, he just can't be a regular & the sooner people realise that the better. The only other option we have would be Maxi, and he's had more anonymous games then I've had hot dinners. That's not to say that both of those can't play an important squad role.

Downing like the rest of the side needs games to get to know each other. We've basically got at least half a new team out there, it will take time & patience.

[Mostar]

I don' think he's been anywhere near as bad as people are making out. He's had a few anonymous games & that's it. Bellamy's knee will restrict him to an impact sub role, he just can't be a regular & the sooner people realise that the better. The only other option we have would be Maxi, and he's had more anonymous games then I've had hot dinners. That's not to say that both of those can't play an important squad role.

Downing like the rest of the side needs games to get to know each other. We've basically got at least half a new team out there, it will take time & patience.

[Mattshark]

I don' think he's been anywhere near as bad as people are making out. He's had a few anonymous games & that's it. Bellamy's knee will restrict him to an impact sub role, he just can't be a regular & the sooner people realise that the better. The only other option we have would be Maxi, and he's had more anonymous games then I've had hot dinners. That's not to say that both of those can't play an important squad role.

Downing like the rest of the side needs games to get to know each other. We've basically got at least half a new team out there, it will take time & patience.

The problem is that both Maxi and Bellamy have show over their career to be better players imo and Downing in general across his career has been found to disappear, especially in important games.

[BringbackBiscan]

The problem is that both Maxi and Bellamy have show over their career to be better players imo and Downing in general across his career has been found to disappear, especially in important games.

Probably, there's not much in it though. But right now with Maxi & Bellers in the twilight end of their careers there's no doubt Downing is the best option. Bellamy's knee simply rules him out of being in week in week out & Maxi is 31 I think, and will most likely leave next season. His goal burst aside last season, he showed very little for us too & has had many games worse then the ones Downing is being criticized for.

I'd like to see Maxi more involved with the first team squad. That irks me a little but looking at the bench on Sunday, I could easily see how he wasn't making the 18 man squad. Can still see both players playing a big role this year, for sure if we get a few decent cup runs.

[Mattshark]

Probably, there's not much in it though. But right now with Maxi & Bellers in the twilight end of their careers there's no doubt Downing is the best option. Bellamy's knee simply rules him out of being in week in week out & Maxi is 31 I think, and will most likely leave next season. His goal burst aside last season, he showed very little for us too & has had many games worse then the ones Downing is being criticized for.

I'd like to see Maxi more involved with the first team squad. That irks me a little but looking at the bench on Sunday, I could easily see how he wasn't making the 18 man squad. Can still see both players playing a big role this year, for sure if we get a few decent cup runs.

I think there is a hell of a lot in it mate, Maxi has shown far, far more than Downing over his career. For us I think Maxi has often played well, rarely loses the ball, has a 1 in 4 career scoring rate, good at drawing fouls and tbf, most of his poorest games with under Bodgeson so that is not really a fair comparison.

I really feel that Maxi would offer us a lot more.

[BringbackBiscan]

I think there is a hell of a lot in it mate, Maxi has shown far, far more than Downing over his career. For us I think Maxi has often played well, rarely loses the ball, has a 1 in 4 career scoring rate, good at drawing fouls and tbf, most of his poorest games with under Bodgeson so that is not really a fair comparison.

I really feel that Maxi would offer us a lot more.

Giving Maxi the year or so to bed in that most foreign players need, and then ignoring the bodges spell. It's working out very harsh on him. No reason he couldn't play on the right with Downing on the left either. I don't believe he ever played on the left, or at least not regularly before he came to England.

[ronanm]

Giving Maxi the year or so to bed in that most foreign players need, and then ignoring the bodges spell. It's working out very harsh on him. No reason he couldn't play on the right with Downing on the left either. I don't believe he ever played on the left, or at least not regularly before he came to England.

Am sure if he was doing well in training he'll get his chance.

[Corndog]

There may be some truth in that, but i think we're suffering from the fact that top class wingers are incredibly hard to come by. Even Mata, who i always wanted ahead of Downing (like others did) isnt *really* an out and out winger.

If you were to name the world's best 10 wingers, chances are the majority of them are at clubs who wont/dont need to sell them, wouldnt come to us, or are simply not 'buyable' do to the obscene price they'd command.

Out of interest, and i'm asking because i'm genuinely curious, but who you would list as the best 5 wingers in world football?

They're in disappointingly low supply and i think that's something that has played a part if, as you believe, we've signed one who isnt good enough, in Downing.

i think the reason why more traditional wingers like downing are in short-supply is because teams are gradually shifting away from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. this has seen the role of most wingers change, instead of being primarily there to get to the byline and cross at the first opportunity there is a new almost hybrid position in the wing-forward that has seen the likes of ronaldo, messi,elia, young, nani etc. flourish, there role in the team has changed, often they are deployed on the opposite side so they can cut in and shoot at goal on their stronger foot. most of them resemble attacking midfielders played on the flanks.

i think thats why kenny went for downing in the first place because it is rare to find similar players with more traditional winger qualities in the modern game.

[Vermilion]

Downing issues warning to Man United.

Stewart Downing has warned Manchester United that Liverpool are ready to explode into life.

The Reds winger admits his new club have not quite hit top gear so far this season, despite a promising start to the campaign.

But with their bitter north west rivals next up in the Premier League, the England international is convinced his team are on the verge of handing out a hiding to someone.

"We've been creating chances and I think there will be a day soon when we put all of them away and we'll have a big win over somebody," Dowing insisted.

"We need to be more clinical and kill teams off - the game against Wolves was a good example of it.

"We made it a harder day than it needed to be because we should have scored a few more times.

"But it's good to see the fans are enjoying the way we're trying to play. We're trying to do our best for them because they deserve it."

Downing is confident Liverpool are going in the right direction, with boss Kenny Dalglish introducing a more positive, attacking style of play.

And he believes it will eventually pay dividends, with the fans embracing the changes at the club even if they have not yet got it completely right so far.

"Fans watch football to be entertained. They want to see goals and forward players attacking. It's nice when you can do that," he explained.

"Some managers obviously don't want a game to be too open, but from a fans' point of view, players are there to entertain and do well.

"I think, particularly at home so far, we have done that this season. Our football has been good and long may it continue."

Downing would love his side to click together against United, and hand out the hiding they have been threatening in recent games, to their long term rivals.

He has yet to find the net for his new club despite being an ever present in the league for the Reds. And he can think of nothing better than opening his account against Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"It's always nice to score, and I can't wait to get one at the Kop end. Maybe that will happen against Man United - that would be perfect."

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...#ixzz1Zz1QfnLC

[Shaggy]

"Downing issues warning to Man Utd"

[cream]

"Downing issues warning to Man Utd"